Steam envelope for hair waving



E. O. SCHNELL STEAM ENVELOPE FOR HAIR WAVING June 19, 1928.

Filed April 11., 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 1928.

E. o. SCHNELL STEAM ENVEL O PE FOR HAIR WAVING Filed April ll, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet .diiuentor Patented June 19, 1928. i

ERNEST 0.. SCHNELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEAM ENVELOPE FOR HAIR WAVING.

Application filed April 11,

This invention relates to improvements in steam envelopes for hair waving, and more particularly to a combined pad and tube to be used in the process of so-called permanent hair waving. 7

As heretofore practiced, the process of hair waving consists in coiling the strands of hair tightly onto a rod, treating the hair with a chemical composition either in li uid or paste formapplied by means of a fa ric padwrapped tightly around the coiled strand, a paper tube is then slipped over the pad, and finally, a tubular heating element applied over the paper tube. The action of the heat, on the hair treating composition generates a moist steam which impregnates the hair and imparts a lasting wave. The purpose of the tube is toform an enclosure about the pad so that the steam will be confined and thus penetrate the strand of hair. It also protects the pad from direct contact with the heating element, preventing the hair from being injured by excessive heat. These paper tubes are made of relatively stifi pasteboard and hence are inflammable with the result that they are charred when the process is completed. Furthermore, the outer ends of the tube and pad are held together by a metal 80 clip which at the same time pinches the ends of the rolled pad around the end of the rod on which the hair is coiled. The hair 'treating composition on becoming softened by the heat runs out of the ,pad

88. and forms a solid mass, uniting the tube,- clip and pad together, making it extremely v(lifiicult to separate the parts after the process is finished.

.' The purpose, therefore, of the present in vention is to provide a construction for a steam envelope which will avoid the difficulty hereinbefore recited, by' making it poe sible to eliminate the use of a tube entirely and combining in a single unit a complete 46 enclosure which when wrapped about the strand of coiled hair, includes a steam pad, a steamroof ti and a metal foil coverin over which the eating element may be directly applied. i

The accompgnying drawing illustrates a preferred em d1ment of my invention, in which Figure 1 is a top plan viewof the envelope. I I

1927. Serial No. 182,735.

Figure 2 is a bottom envelope.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the envelope with a corner portion folded back to show the manner is which the same is made.

I Figure 4 is a view of hair coiled on a rod preparatory to being wrapped in the enveope.

Figure 5 is a view showing the envelope about to be Wrapped about a coiled strand of air.

Figure 6 is a view of the envelope after lit has been wrapped about the strand of lair.

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of a suitable form of clip for closing the tip end of the envelope; and

Figure 8 is' a view of the envelope completely wrapped, the ends closed and the heating element applied.

The base or foundation of the steam envelope is what is ordinarily termed a steam pad, although in the present construction, a steam pad of the form disclosed in my previous application Serial No. 141,47 5, filed October 14, 1926, is used.

In its preferred form, the steam envelope consists of the following parts or members, viz, a steam pad A, a sheet or covering of plan view of the same .metal foil B, and a strip of waterproofed fabric or like material C.

The pad A comprises an envelope 1 of woven fabric, such as cheesecloth,and a thin rectangular cake or wafer 2 consisting of a suitable hair treating composition also preferably compounded in accordance with the disclosure of my said previous application. The envelo e consists merely of a rectangular piece 0 fabric more than twice the area of the wafer 2 which is folded double and the wafer placed therebetween with one of its longer edges flush with the folded edge of the fabric. The free edges of the fabric are brought together in registering relation with each other and the extended marginal portions around the three open sides of wafer are sealed by a suitable form of heat resisting cement or adhesive, preferably of the kind disclosed in my said previous application.

The materials may be assembled to form each envelope, or the pads A may be completed or partially completed and the other materials added. Likewise, the manner of assembling may be varied as the maker may choose. Assuming, however, that the pad is but partially completed, that is, with the edges left unsealed and open, the first step in the operation of making would be to insert a strip C of oiled fabric lengthwise between the open edges at one end of the pad. The length of strip C is about twice its width so that it would extend an inch or more beyond the end of the pad. Moreover, its length is greater than the width of the pad, so that one end of the strip would project an inch or so beyond the front or open edge opposite the folded edge of the pad, the opposite edge of the strip being flush with said folded edge, as shown in Figure 3.

Having thus inserted the strip C between the edges of the fabric at one end of the pad, the adhesive is then applied to seal the open edges entirely around the wafer and likewise seal the overlapping edges of the fabric to the opposite sides of the strip.

The final step is to apply to one side of the pad A a. rectangular sheet of metal foil B, aluminum foil being the preferred material. The sheet of metal foil is of a size slightly larger than the pad, being of substantially the same length but slightly wider. The foil is ap lied to the side of the pad in such manner tll at when holding the same with the folded edge toward the holder and the strip C on the left, the sheet of foil will be on the underside, or in other words, so that when the envelope is rolled lengthwise from the folded edge of the pad with the sheet pff foil outside, the strip C will be at the Having thus placed the sheet of foil B on the proper side of the pad, it is then fixed to the same with one of its longer edges parallel with but spaced inwardly from the folded edge of the pad, thereby leaving a width of say one-half of an inch of the fabric exposed between the folded edge of the pad and the adjacent edgeof the foil. As thus placed, the outer edge of the foil extends beyond the opposite edge of the pad about an inch, namely, to the corresponding outer end edge of the strip C, although these edges need not exactly coincide. The foil is fixed in place and to the pad by applying heat resisting adhesive along the edges of the foil where they overlap the fabric of the ad A as well as the strip C.

Thus the tliree members of the cnvelo )e are assembled in a complete unit ready or use.

Figures 4 to 8 show the method of applying the envelope in the process of im artmg a permanent wave in a strand of air. As already explained and as clearly shown in Fi re 4, a strand of hair is tightly woun onto a curling rod 4 preparatory to the application of the envelope. The pad A. is then moistened and the rod with its coiled strand placed lengthwise against the pad with the. foil outermost and the strip C extending beyond the free end of the rod. as shown in Figure Then rolling from the closed or folded edge of the pad A. the euvelope is wound once about the rod and the coiled strand with the opposite edge of the foil overlapping. As a result of this rolling or winding operation, the envelope becomes a tube enclosing the strand of hair throughout its length. the same being preferably pressed tightly around the rod by squeezing the envelope in the handand also by pinching or pressing the edges inwardly o hu the rod around its lower or projecting end. The foil sheet has sufficient thickness and body to maintain its shape when squeezed or compressed without additional sealing means to complete the enclosure of the rod. and except for the outer steam-proof tip end, provides a complete metallic closure. The process of rolling leaves the strip (.3 as a pliable tip projecting beyond the end of the tubular casing formed by the pad and foil, as shown in Figure 6. This tip is then pinched or closed off by applying a clip 5 (Figure 7) of any suitable form around the same, thus scaling the end of the tube.

The final step (Figure 8) is the passing of the tube through an electric heating element 6 which is itself of tubular form and of a length to embrace all but the extreme end portions of the tube. The heat from the heating element is transmitted by means of the metal foil very rapidly to the pad, thus creating an alkaline steam which penetrates the hair and thus gives the desired permanence to the wave which appears in the hair when the process is completed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the envelope herein described comprises in a single unit all of the necessary elements for carrying outthe process of permanent waving, namely, the steam pad, the tube and the steam-proof tip which seals the end of the tube and prevents the steam from escaping and injuring the scalp. As such, its application and removal is reduced to the simple operation of rolling and unrolling as compared to the application of a steam pad and slipping of a separate paper tube over the pad and then, the removal of the paper tube and pad, baked together to an almost inseparable unit. Furthermore, the use of a. metal foil provides a rapid and uniform conductor of heat, so that there is uniform distribution throughout the length of the envelope even where the heat does not touch the metal foil. The operating time is also reduced considerably since the metal foil carries the heat very rapidly to the pad, thus generating the steam after a relatively short dueing an equally satisfactory device.

. proofing composition.

interval of time. Again, a composite pad is much lighter in weight than the separate pad and paper tube, an advantage which is appreciated by the person undergoing the treatment.

The envelopes have a still further advantage, namely, that they can be shipped in flat form, thus tending to simplify the problem of distribution and handling.

It will be understood that While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, there may be other Ways of pro- For instance, the waterproof strip B may be formed by extending the edges of the fabric envelope and treating the same with a water- Similarly, other expedients may be adapted for simplifying or improving the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention.'

I claim as my invention:

1. A steam envelope for the purpose described, comprising a pad, a sheet of metal foil applied to one face of said pad, and a strip of waterproofed fabric extending along one edge of said pad and projecting beyond the adjacent edge of said sheet of metal foil.

2. A steam envelope for the purpose described, comprising a pad, a rectangular sheet of metal foil covering one face of said pad, and a strip of steamproof fabric extending across one end of said pad and projecting a substantial distance beyond the adjacent edge of said sheet of metal foil.

3. A steam envelope of j the character described, comprising a steam pad consisting of a wafer of hair treating substance and a fabric covering therefor, a sheet of metal foil of substantially greater area applied to one face of said pad, and a'strip of pliable n0n-heat-conducting material extending along one end of said pad and projecting a substantial distance beyond the corresponding edge of said sheet of metal foil.

4. A steam envelope for the purpose described, comprising a steam pad. a sheet of metal foil applied to one face of said pad, and a strip of pliable steamproof fabric attached to one end of said pad and extending substantially throughout the width of said sheet and having a marginal portion projecting a, substantial distance there beyond. 5. A steam envelopecomprising a steam pad consisting of a wafer of hair treating substance and a piece of fabric folded to enclose said wafer, a strip of steamproof material extending transversely across one end of said pad and secured between the folded edges of said fabric, and a sheet of metal foil secured to one face of said pad and having one edge offset inwardly from the marginal portion of said strip.

6. A steam envelope comprising a steam pad consisting of a wafer of hair treating substance and a piece of fabric folded double to enclose said wafer with its free edges sealed together, a strip of steamproof material extending across one end of said pad and sealed between the folded edges of said fabric, and a sheet of metal foil attached to one face of said pad with certain of its side edges extending beyond the corresponding edges of said pad but the other side edge terminating a; substantial distance inwardly from the corresponding edge of said stri Signed at Chicago, 111., this 24th day of March, 1927.

ERNEST o. SQCHNELL. 

